There are certain holidays that just bring out the personality of your neighbourhood or street. Halloween is one of those. You get to see the cute and fun side of Halloween (and sometimes right next door) while also getting to see the spooky and classical horror side. There are some displays that are so simple and yet admirable. While others are seizing the potential of inflatables. Of course, the family setting up a display complete with tombstones, skulls, and spider webs steals the show of the street (big or small) during construction and afterwards.
Getting to witness a neighbourhood or street’s decorations is like being able to see the personality of the houses themselves. As a child the decorations each season always set off an imaginative story in my head of the possibilities of the stories of the people who lived in them.
There is something special behind decorating the outside of your home. Inside the decorations are for the family or household to enjoy. Outside though is a different story. Outside they are for the household for when they return home from work or school. Outside they are also for the neighbourhood and people travelling by to take in. We decorate outside as if we are doing our part to make the world a little more beautiful and a little more kind. In a way I think we also decorate for our childhood selves creating the decorative displays we loved back then or wish we could have created.
Getting to witness a neighbourhood or street’s decorations is like being able to see the personality of the houses themselves.
During decorating holidays go for a walk in your neighbourhood and check out what personalities your neighbourhood has to offer. I find it helps me live in the present to make observations of the world around me. (And of course you can scope out ideas for your “next year,” display.) Even a smashed pumpkin part of a display this Halloween didn’t diminish the care and creativity that went into the display. All it says (negative wise) is completely about the smasher. Each light, flag, ornament, statue, and prop makes an impact on your environment. For you, your neighbours, and strangers travelling by. Keep up the beautiful work.
In a way I think we also decorate for our childhood selves creating the decorative displays we loved back then or wish we could have created.
